In the wake of a news report that the White House chief of staff used the words “f–g retarded” in a strategy session, Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver called on Rahm Emanuel to join his campaign to stamp out the “R-word.”

Shriver’s letter to Emanuel, released today, said the terms “retard” and “retarded” perpetuate stereotypes and stigma against people with intellectual disabilities, and are “just as painful as any number of racial or ethnic slurs, jokes or taunts that society has committed to eradicating from our lexicon.”

“Of course, I have no way of knowing if this expression was actually used by you or anyone else,” Shriver wrote. “Regardless of whether the term was actually used or not, I would ask you to join us in this important fight.”

He called on Emanuel to take the pledge at www.r-word.org to avoid using the terms, and to help “change the conversation and raise awareness about the power of language and the hurtful nature of the R-word.”

“I know that private political discourse can sometimes include profanity,” Shriver said. “But at the same time, our community cannot accept the idea that they will remain the butt of jokes and taunts.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel used the epithet in a meeting when told about a plan by liberal Democrats and White House staffers to attack conservative Democrats on health care

The Special Olympics serves more than 2.5 million athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 180 countries.

From AP/Business Week:

Special Olympics organizations around the country are cutting back on services and staffing as contributions and sponsorships decline. Special Olympics Inc. saw its year-end assets fall to $58.4 million in 2008, a 33 percent drop from $87.8 million in 2007. The Washington-based parent organization reportedly lost tens of millions of dollars when the stock market tanked in 2008.

Economizing measures by groups around the country range from the elimination of some mountain sports in Northern California to the suspension of statewide games in Oregon. Special Olympics Tennessee has stopped allowing new participants in some events, reduced the number of participants in others, and frozen salaries.

From  Boston Globe (with video), Boston Herald, AP/Washington Post,and elsewhere.

Officials and Special Olympians, who were clad in ribbons, led the funeral procession carrying a Special Olympics torch to St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Hyannis yesterday, paying tribute to their champion, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Loretta Claiborne, a former Special Olympics athlete and longtime friend of Shriver’s, said in her opening remarks, “She was chosen to have a life to serve others, the weakest of the weak, the castaways, the throwaways of society, at the time they would say the mentally retarded, and I am one of those people.”

Shriver’s daughter, California First Lady Maria Shriver, said of her mother during the eulogy, “If she were here today … she would pound this podium … and ask each of you what you have done today to better the world.”

Other guests who attended the private two-hour funeral Mass included Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

Shriver’s brother Sen. Ted Kennedy, who has brain cancer, did not attend the funeral.

See also:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver-Editorial in Cape Cod Times

Photos: Eunice Shriver’s Funeral Mass-New York Times: The Caucus Blog

Special needs adults mourn Shriver at funeral-Boston Globe Metro Desk

(Boston Globe photo)

From the Boston Globe (with video), Boston Herald,  Associated Press and National Public Radio:

Thousand of mourners gathered at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Cape Cod Thursday to honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver, celebrating the Special Olympics founder as a passionate humanitarian.

At the six-hour public wake, Shriver’s five children – including Shriver’s daughter, Maria, and son-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger – expressed gratitude and listened to the stories of all who came to pay their respects. Guests included Special Olympians, Oprah Winfrey, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

Among the steady stream of mourners who flowed into church was Mike Rhodes, a 25-year-old mentally disabled man who left a handmade card for Shriver.

On it was written a simple message: “She taught us to stand tall.”

Shriver’s private invitation-only funeral Mass will be held today at St. Francis Xavier church in Hyannis, and vice president Joe Biden is expected to attend.

See also:

Eunice Shriver believed all deserved dignity, joy – Kansas City Star

One Special Olympian – New York Times

Biden to attend service for Eunice Kennedy Shriver – Associated Press

Earlier posts here.

(Loretta Claiborne and Maria Shriver, AP photo)

From the St. Petersburg [FL] Times:

Parents who raised their children with Down syndrome at home at a time when doctors recommended institutionalization offer praise for Eunice Kennedy Shriver. They say she brought people with intellectual disabilities out of the  shadows and helped society see new possibilities.

When some parents began to reject the notion of institutionalization in the 1950s and ’60s, they were largely left to fend for themselves.

“I’ve thought about this so often. Who were these families who made these decisions initially?” said Madeleine Will, vice president of public policy for the National Down Syndrome Society. “They were choosing not to institutionalize their children at a time when there was no support and even confronting rejection and hostility.”

In 1968, the Special Olympics ignited a new commitment to diversity and acceptance. Soon, people with intellectual disabilities began to benefit from increased funding and legislation that helped them push past boundaries, but advocates say the fight for justice continues for people with disabilities.

Society still has a long way to go, said Dr. Brian Skotko, a fellow in genetics at Children’s Hospital Boston. Many families endure long waits for help from the government and community organizations; disabled people are still housed in institutions; popular movies still disparagingly use what Skotko called “the R word.”

“Not all of the ghosts have left the banquet table,” he said.

Earlier posts here.

Eunice Shriver: A cheerful gladiator

From the Washington Post:

Founded in an era when those with intellectual disabilities were institutionalized and shut out of the mainstream, the Special Olympics offered participants the opportunity to transcend their limitations and become athletes. The games promote health and self-reliance, inspire friendships, and give rise to tremendous courage. By giving men, women and children with disabilities the ability to compete on a global stage, Eunice Kennedy Shriver proved that they could play on other playing fields, hold jobs, and be students and neighbors.

Her legacy lives on in the millions of people she empowered to strive on the field of competition and beyond — and to be brave in the attempt.

Rosemary Kennedy was inspiration for Eunice

Boston Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham says Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s accomplishments were inspired by the life of her older sister. Rosemary Kennedy was born with mild developmental disabilities, and was sent to an institution when a lobotomy in 1941 left her incapacitated.

The family kept silent about Rosemary for the next two decades, until Eunice wrote an article about her in the Saturday Evening Post in 1962. The piece argued that people with intellectual disabilities have value and deserve respect, and that they should be integrated into society and be given opportunities for work and education.

… Eunice was never comfortable accepting credit for her achievements, which rival those of her brothers. Even at a tribute to her in 2007, the woman who many allowed might have been president if only she’d been born a man tried to pass the praise along — to Rosemary.

“I am lucky that I experienced the sting of rejection as a woman who was told that the real power was not for me,” she said at the JFK Library and Museum. “I am lucky that I saw . . . Rosemary treated with the most unbearable rejection.

“It’s really that simple,” said Rosemary’s sister. “Love gave me confidence and adversity gave me purpose.”

Earlier posts here.